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Vernon Wells redeems himself, lifts Yankees past O's

NEW YORK (AP) — After popping out with the bases loaded in the fifth inning, all Vernon Wells wanted was another shot to help make a winner of Ivan Nova. He got one all right: Ninth inning, bases jammed. This

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Vernon Wells redeems himself, lifts Yankees past O's

AP
11:50 p.m. EDT July 5, 2013

New York Yankees left fielder Vernon Wells (12) celebrates his game-winning walk-off hit with right fielder Ichiro Suzuki (31) in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles.(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)

Story Highlights

Wells singles in the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth in New York's 3-2 win

NEW YORK (AP) — After popping out with the bases loaded in the fifth inning, all Vernon Wells wanted was another shot to help make a winner of Ivan Nova.

He got one all right: Ninth inning, bases jammed.

This time Wells came through. He singled in the winning run with one out, helping a marvelous Nova and the New York Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-2 Friday night for their season high-tying fifth straight win.

"Given the way we played in Minnesota we needed to come here and continue that momentum," Wells said of the Yankees' four-game sweep of the Twins. "It took a little while, but Nova kept us in the game all night."

Nova (3-2) gave up a two-run homer to Matt Wieters in the second inning then stifled the Orioles the rest of the way in a spot start for Hiroki Kuroda. He allowed three hits in his first career complete game, struck out 11 and walked one.

Baltimore closer Jim Johnson (2-7) took over the ninth with a 2-1 lead and gave up a leadoff single to David Adams. Brett Gardner reached when Johnson failed to field his bunt for an error in front of the mound.

"The thing that really changed it was screwing up the bunt," Johnson said. "That was trying to do too many things at once instead of just taking the out."

Sept. 19: Indians right fielder Matt Carson (center) is swarmed on the infield after hitting a game-winning single in the eleventh inning against the Astros at Progressive Field.
David Richard, USA TODAY Sports

Sept. 19: Members of the Rockies celebrate with center fielder Corey Dickerson after he hit a walk off triple to win the game during the 15th inning against the Cardinals at Coors Field. The Rockies won 7-6 in 15 innings.
Chris Humphreys, USA TODAY Sports

Sep. 12: The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate with first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (center) after he hit a walk-off single against the San Francisco Giants in tenth inning at Dodger Stadium.
Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports

Sept. 10: Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Scott Van Slyke is greeted at home plate after he hits a two-run walk-off home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports

Sept. 8: Giants' Angel Pagan, second from left, celebrates with teammates, from left, Brandon Crawford, Hector Sanchez, Ehire Adrianza and Joaquin Arias after hitting a walk-off single against the Diamondbacks' in the 11th inning.
George Nikitin, AP

Sept. 4: Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Didi Gregorius drops dirt on the head of infielder Willie Bloomquist as they celebrate his walk off single against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Phillies infielder Michael Young, left, is cheered by teammate Carlos Ruiz after making the game-winning run on a hit by Domonic Brown during the ninth inning of a baseball game to defeat the Colorado Rockies 5-4, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2013, in Philadelphia.
Laurence Kesterson, AP

Aug. 17: Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera connects on a walk-off solo homer in the bottom of the ninth against the Royals in Detroit. Cabrera's blast, his 39th on the year, gave the Tigers a 6-5 win.
Gregory Shamus, Getty Images

Aug. 13: Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt is dowsed with water by teammate Martin Prado as he runs toward home plate following his game-winning walk-off home run against the Orioles in the 11th inning.
Ralph Freso, Getty Images

Aug. 11: Yankees center fielder Brett Gardner is mobbed at home plate by teammates after hitting a walk off home run against the Tigers at Yankee Stadium.
William Perlman, The (Newark) Star-Ledger via USA TODAY Sports

Aug. 9: Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after first baseman Adrian Gonzalez crossed the plate in the ninth inning of the game for the winning run against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports

July 30: Alex Presley of the Pittsburgh Pirates is congratulated by Garrett Jones, above, and Neil Walker after a game-winning single in the eleventh inning against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Justin K. Aller, Getty Images

July 29: The San Diego Padres' Chris Denorfia is dumped with Powerade during an interview with reporter Kelly Crull following a walk-off home run against the Cincinnati Reds.
Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports

July 28: Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig is greeted at home plate after he hits a walk-off solo home run in the eleventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports

July 28: Yankees left fielder Alfonso Soriano (center) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a game-winning single against the Tampa Bay Rays in the ninth inning on July 28.
Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports

July 21: Boston Red Sox wait at home plate to congratulate first baseman Mike Napoli for his walk off home run against the New York Yankees during the eleventh inning at Fenway Park.
Mark L. Baer, USA TODAY Sports

Chicago White Sox first baseman Adam Dunn (32) celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk off home run to win the game during the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles on July 4.
Benny Sieu, USA Today Sports

Reds center fielder Shin-Soo Choo (center) is congratulated by left fielder Chris Heisey (28) and second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) after hitting a game-winning single during the eleventh inning against the San Francisco Giants on July 3.
Frank Victores, USA TODAY Sports

Members of the Boston Red Sox wait at home plate for pinch hitter Jonny Gomes (5) after hitting a walk off home run during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres on July 3.
Bob DeChiara, USA TODAY Sports

Pirates' Russell Martin, center, is greeted by teammates Jeanmar Gomez, left, and Josh Harrison after Martin drove in Gaby Sanchez with a pinch-hit in the 14th against the Brewers on June 30.
Keith Srakocic AP

June 26: Alex Gordon, center, gave the Royals a 4-3 win over the Braves in 10 innings with a game-winning RBI single. Gordon started the game with a leadoff home run in the first.
Jamie Squire, Getty Images

June 25: Yankees outfielder Ichiro Suzuki celebrates his game-winning home run with teammates in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium.
John Munson, The (Newark) Star-Ledger via USA TODAY Sports

Jun 23: Seattle Mariners designated hitter Kendrys Morales (8) is mobbed by his teammates after hitting the game-winning three-run home run against the Oakland Athletics during the 10th inning at Safeco Field.
Steven Bisig, USA TODAY Sports

June 22: The Philadelphia Phillies' Freddy Galvis gives Kevin Frandsen a kick in the behind as he crosses home plate after a walk-off home run against the New York Mets.
Eric Hartline, USA TODAY Sports

June 22: San Francisco Giants catcher Hector Sanchez celebrates with teammates after hitting a game-winning RBI single against the Miami Marlins in the 11th inning at AT,T Park.
Cary Edmondson, USA TODAY Sports

June 19: Brandon Phillips gives the Reds a 2-1 win over the Pirates with an RBI single in the 13th inning. In the ninth, the Reds sent the game to extra innings with a run off Pirates closer Jason Grilli, who blows his first save of the season.
Frank Victores, USA TODAY Sports

June 18: Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is swarmed by teammates in celebration after hitting a walk off home run to beat the Miami Marlins 3-2 at Chase Field.
Matt Kartozian, USA TODAY Sports

June 18: Boston Red Sox's Jonny Gomes celebrates at home plate after hitting the game-winning two-run home run in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 of a doubleheader.
Jared Wickerham, Getty Images

June 17: Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman celebrates a walk-off two-run home run with teammates in the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Turner Field.
Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports

June 13: Athletics' Nate Freiman, second from right, is mobbed by his teammates after hitting the game-winning RBI single off Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera in the 18th inning. Oakland won 3-2.
Eric Risberg, AP

June 8: Rajai Davis of the Toronto Blue Jays is mobbed by teammates after driving in the winning run in the 18th inning against the Texas Rangers at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Tom Szczerbowski, Getty Images

May 27: Brandon Barnes of the Houston Astros, right, is mobbed by his teammates after his RBI double in the 12th inning to defeat the Colorado Rockies at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
Scott Halleran, Getty Images

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Ichiro Suzuki then sacrificed the runners to second and third and Robinson Cano was walked intentionally to load the bases for the second time Friday — to vociferous boos. Manager Buck Showalter made a mound visit and Johnson promptly walked Travis Hafner to tie it.

The struggling Wells then grounded a single past diving third baseman Manny Machado and ran toward first with his arm raised in the air. He was mobbed by his teammates and doused with a sports drink during an interview on the field.

"Those are times like when you turn a triple play where you see the kid come out in us," Wells said.

Manager Joe Girardi said Wells earned a start because he played well during the series in Minnesota, but he ended the night still hitting just .235.

The Yankees snapped a five-game skid — including a sweep last weekend in Baltimore — against the Orioles this season.

The Orioles have lost three of four. Johnson blew his sixth save of the season, and second in last four opportunities.

Nova lost his place in the rotation after an ineffective start to the season and going on the disabled list. But he kept Baltimore off-balance all the way through. The 26-year-old right-hander came off the mound after getting the third out in the ninth to high-fives and pats on the back from his teammates.

"It's unbelievable feeling the way I've been throwing the ball lately," Nova said. "To put myself in the position I am right now."

The Yankees' steadiest pitcher since last year, Kuroda came through a bullpen session Friday without problems. Depending how he feels Saturday, he could take his next turn in the rotation. Girardi said after the game Nova will "probably start again."

The memory of the long homer Chris Davis hit against him last weekend in Baltimore may have caused Nova to throw a little too inside to "Crush" to start the second. After hitting Davis with a pitch, Nova gave up a drive to Wieters that bounced off the top of the wall, just out of the reach of Wells, and into the left field stands for a 2-0 lead. Wieters came in batting .429 (9 for 21) with three homers against Nova.

But that was all Nova would give up, dominating the Orioles with a nasty curveball. Nate McLouth's single leading off the sixth was Baltimore's only hit after the second.

Nova got some help from a steely defense. Luis Cruz, the latest fill-in for Derek Jeter at shortstop, made two nifty grabs of grounders and strong throws for outs in the third. Then second baseman Cano made a pair of difficult plays to keep the Orioles off the bases in the fourth inning.

Cruz drove in New York's first run in the fourth with a single to left field off Miguel Gonzalez. Wells, on second base, slid into home just ahead of Wieters' tag. Wieters slapped Wells high on the leg as Wells' cleat scraped home plate. Showalter came out to dispute the bang-bang play with plate umpire Gary Darling.

The Yankees then loaded the bases with one out in the fifth against the pitcher with the best road ERA (2.99) since the start of 2012 — minimum 100 innings.

They came up empty.

Adams walked leading off. One out later Suzuki doubled to right field and Cano was walked intentionally. Gonzalez then fell behind 3-0 to Hafner before getting him to hit a fly to center field that was too shallow for Adams to test Gold Glover Adam Jones' arm. Wells then popped out to first base.

Gonzalez was done after six innings and 104 pitches. He yielded one run and four hits, but tied a season high with five walks — one intentional.

"Miguel was fortunate," Showalter said. "But that's him. He's going to bend, but not break. You give up four (walks), I think five with an intentional, you have to consider yourself lucky to get through that with one run."

NOTES: Orioles LHP Wei-Yin Chen (right oblique strain) will throw Saturday or Sunday and the team will then make a decision. If he comes out without any issues, Showalter said he could be activated from the DL in five or six days. Showalter said a six-man rotation was an option after Chen returns. ... Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez's third rehab game — Class-A Tampa — was postponed by rain.